The NBA has been nothing short of a spectacle through the first month of the 2018 season. Some new surprises and old habits have basketball once again sitting at the forefront of global entertainment. The Toronto Raptors have a better record than the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James still doesn’t play defense in the regular season.

Toronto’s hot start led by Kawhi Leonard, a rejuvenated Kyle Lowry and maybe the best defense in the NBA, makes them one of a group of teams who have been surprisingly good in the Eastern Conference. MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging over 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists per game, is off to a 10-3 start which includes a win over the defending champion, Warriors.

The biggest news of the season has come from the Philadelphia 76ers. Perennial All-Star Jimmy Butler was acquired over the weekend, giving them a true big three. Alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, Butler and the Sixers have certified themselves as the top threat in the East.

The Indiana Pacers round out the top four, leaving out last year’s top-seeded Boston Celtics, who have struggled to find an offensive identity, losing four of their last five games.

In the Western Conference, the Warriors remain the team to beat even without center Demarcus Cousins, who will join the star-studded squad following his recovery from an Achilles injury. Former MVP Stephen Curry leads the NBA in scoring and is shooting at the highest percentage of his career.

What has been unexpected is the poor starts by some of the last year’s best competition in the west, especially the Houston Rockets. After a poor offseason, they have had a hangover, losing four of their first eleven games. Struggling MVP James Harden and Chris Paul are both shooting under 40 percent and haven’t been able to mesh with Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the team.

Four of the eight playoff teams from last year are .500 or worse and out of the playoff standings.

Many players have had impressive starts to the season but these few stand out among the rest. Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker is top two in scoring with 28 points per game. Walker is doing everything on the floor for the Hornets and is a sleeper MVP candidate.

Rookie Luka Doncic who was 2017’s EuroLeague MVP, has transitioned to the NBA with ease, having one of the best rookie seasons since LeBron James.

A surprising start by the Sacramento Kings has sparked by the play of second-year point guard DeAaron Fox. With just under 19 points and seven assists per game, Fox has improved tremendously from last year, instantly making him one of the best guards in an already heavily-stacked Western conference.

Bulls guard Zach Lavine has carried their injury-plagued roster so far scoring 30 points in each of the first four games and another 41 and the game-winning free throws against the Knicks.

Lastly, Heat guard Josh Richardson has feasted alongside Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade. Richardson is truly one of the most underrated players in the NBA making his case to be a first-time All-Star in 2019.

NBA basketball is off to a great start with more exciting headlines surely to come. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the season.